Former chairman Daniel Levy often found himself at the center of Spurs fans’ frustrations. His departure in September was celebrated by many, but it also left Thomas Frank more exposed to criticism without Levy as a distraction.
Frank enjoyed substantial popularity at Brentford, not only due to his achievements on the pitch but also because of the strong rapport he built with supporters.
His tradition of leading players in a post-match lap around the field became a beloved ritual, with him often acknowledging familiar faces in the stands.
However, it was ironic that one of the most challenging moments of Frank’s short tenure occurred at the Gtech on New Year’s Day, when he faced loud jeers from Spurs fans following a dreary goalless draw.
Building connections in a vast, state-of-the-art stadium that accommodates over 61,000 fans is no simple task—it largely relies on results, and Frank’s team managed to win only two of their 11 home league matches.
The post-match lap that once symbolized connection became a source of controversy when defenders Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven ignored him, walking past after a disappointing defeat to Chelsea, though they later expressed regret.
Despite any anger the players may have felt towards the fans, their dismissal of Frank’s wishes raised red flags about his authority. Even after Spence’s apology, questions emerged regarding the defender’s behavior during a dismal 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, further complicating Frank’s situation.
Overall, it has been a disheartening period for Frank, characterized by a disconnect between the team and its supporters, a sentiment the club has noted.
While Frank rarely criticized his fans during his time at Brentford—a risky move—he labeled the booing of goalkeeper Vicario “unacceptable” following a defeat to Fulham, asserting it didn’t represent the actions of “true Spurs supporters.”
This approach, even directed at just a section of the crowd, was fraught with risk, and without the wins to mend that rift, he struggled to regain support.
At Brentford, Frank’s honesty, positive energy, and success earned him idolization, contrasting sharply with his experience at Spurs.
Both time and patience, usually abundant at Brentford, were limited in his new role—not just from those in charge after Levy but also from fans who remained skeptical of Frank’s qualifications and methods.
Many Spurs supporters had doubts about Frank’s capabilities from the beginning, believing that his solid experience at a smaller club like Brentford did not prepare him for the challenges of managing in the north London spotlight.
Ultimately, Frank needed to make an immediate impact to alleviate those doubts but unfortunately fell short.
Read more from Phil on what went wrong for Frank at Spurs